You know the nightly pitfalls of traveling with kids: the sound of infants howling in the night, hiding out in a hotel bathroom with a book or phone, desperately waiting for preschoolers to settle into a strange bed… to name a few. A rental home, cabin, cottage or condo can make a major difference in your vacation, with plenty of bedrooms and living spaces to spread out, a full kitchen, washer and dryer and other creature comforts.

Skipping a hotel or resort, though, requires a slightly different mindset and a little more planning when it comes to packing. Here are our top tips on making the most of a vacation rental, from creating a home away from home to saving money with your own kitchen.

1. Figure out beds.

If you have an infant or toddlers, make sure there is a portable crib available or a small bunk or twin bed. Cribs are occasionally first-come, first-served, so check into any local companies that rent cribs or portable beds for the week. You can also invest in a small blowup bed or sleeping bag when you reach your destination and leave it behind if needed. Always pack a favorite blanket for the trip and consider your own crib sheets if you have room.

2. Think about safety.

Take outlet covers, corner protectors for sharp table edges and anything else you might need for baby-proofing a vacation home if you have new crawlers in the family. If you’re renting from a multi-unit destination, there may be some units already child-proofed or with a safer layout that doesn’t have multiple levels and stairs. Consider packing or renting a childproof gate if needed, and ask if there are nightlights to prevent middle-of-the-night stumbles. It’s also wise to put away any breakable decorative items and to make sure you have a tippy or no-spill cup to prevent leaving any stains behind.

3. Plan for entertainment.

Some rentals may have games, TVs and even a rec room, but it’s good to pack some books and toys for the trip. Buying some new (or used) items like art supplies, action figures and new apps for your vacation (or unearthing old favorites) can make it more exciting for kids and keep them busy when mom and dad need downtime–especially after a long day of traveling.

7. Keep it clean.

If your rental unit has a washer and dryer, pack a handful of laundry detergent pods (quarters, too, if needed). If you can wash mid-week, you can pack less and go home with mostly clean clothes to ease the work of unpacking post-vacation. Pack a couple of grocery bags, too, for wrapping up dirty or sandy sandals and shoes and dirty clothes.

9. Plan your meals.

Pack a few lightweight items for a quick arrival meal (like microwave mac-and-cheese, pasta packets or soup) or hit the super-easy button and grab a meal to go or order pizza on your first night. Then take full advantage of a rental kitchen and gather all the staples and groceries you need for the week, such as butter, milk, eggs, cereal, meat and vegetables, fresh fruit and a few special treats. This is vacation, after all. Plan carefully so you’re not throwing out too much at the end of your stay — you may end up eating ice cream and meatballs for breakfast.

10. Look carefully before leaving.

More room to roam in a rental unit can increase the chance that something will get left behind when it comes time to pack up for home. Check under beds and bedding for beloved blankets and stuffed animals, showers for swimsuits left to dry, behind doors for shoes and outlets for forgotten phone and computer chargers that could send a teen into a toddler-worthy meltdown. Last of all, leave a comment in the guest book and pay forward the fun you had.

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Family Vacation Critic is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Family Vacation Critic also participates in the SkimLinks and SkimWords affiliate programs.

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